Description
A budget-friendly, kid-approved weeknight dinner featuring a moist ground beef loaf topped with a sweet and tangy brown sugar glaze that caramelizes in the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking sheet and shape into a 9×5 inch loaf with rounded ends.
- In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and brush half of the glaze over the top.
- Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Remove from oven, brush with remaining glaze, and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid a tough texture. Use a thermometer to ensure food safety (160°F). Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. The glaze should be applied halfway through baking to prevent burning. Can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, family meal, budget-friendly, comfort food, easy dinner